KUALA LUMPUR: RM40 million.
That is the commitment given by a developer to "upgrade" the Kampung Bohol retention pond along the Kesas Highway as part of its winning bid for a housing project tender.
Aside from the requirement to upgrade the retention pond, the developer will also fork out RM41.7 million for the premium of six plots of adjacent land measuring 10.84ha.
This works out to around RM69 per sq ft.
Details of what exactly will be built in the area, however, remain unclear.
During a media briefing, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said there was a need to upgrade the pond's capacity to mitigate floods.
While residents and elected representatives have voiced concerns following reports that the area would be developed, Zaliha said the developer must comply with requirements for traffic and environmental impact assessments, among others.
"We assure the public that the upgrade of the pond would be completed first before any work on the housing project can start," she told reporters.
"Three of the six plots of land will be used for affordable housing — one for Residensi Madani and two for RumaWip."
The developer would be free to decide the types of residential properties it wants to build on the three other plots, she said.
When pressed for details of the developer, Zaliha declined to divulge the developer's identity.
Long-time resident Datuk Ng See Eng, has an issue with the development.
"The government should name the developer and justify its reasons for awarding the tender," he said, adding that there was a need for full transparency.
Ng, who has lived in the area for the past 30 years, said with no rail services, the already nightmarish traffic would worsen.
"Traffic congestion will worsen in Puchong and Kinrara. We were told at least 5,000 residential units would be built in the area.
"Where will these people's children go to school? There are no hospitals there. Everyone will just end up in Puchong."
Ng said if the six plots of land were developed, there would be no more room to expand the already congested Kesas Highway.
Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok, under whose Parliamentary constituency the area falls, did not mince her words.
"The land should not be sold at all. I disagree with this decision.
"This is what happens when decisions are made in an air-conditioned room, without going to the ground."
Kok added that she was not even informed of the decision and that she wasn't involved in the decision-making process.
"I wonder if they even consulted other elected representatives or the Subang Jaya City Council? All the traffic will go to Puchong."
While the project has been awarded, residents will still have a chance to have their say at a public hearing on the matter on May 20.
At the same time, Zaliha is also expected to meet affected residents next week.
